How to Say "sit down" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “sit down” is “siéntate” — use this command when speaking informally to one person you know well, like a friend or family member..
siéntate
/syEN-tah-teh//ˈsjen.ta.te/
Examples
Por favor, siéntate aquí conmigo.
Please, sit down here with me.
¡Siéntate! La película va a empezar.
Sit down! The movie is about to start.
Si estás cansado, siéntate un rato.
If you're tired, sit down for a while.
A Command + 'You' in One Word
'Siéntate' is a command made of two parts: 'sienta' (the command 'sit') and 'te' ('you'). In Spanish, when you give a positive command, you often attach the little word for 'you' right to the end of the verb.
The 'Tú' Form: Friendly and Informal
The '-te' at the end tells you this command is for 'tú' (the informal 'you'). You'd say this to a friend, a family member, or a child, but not to a boss or someone you just met.
Saying 'Sienta te'
Mistake: “Sienta te.”
Correction: Siéntate. For positive commands, the little word for 'you' ('te') must be attached directly to the verb, making it one single word.
Forgetting the Accent Mark
Mistake: “sientate”
Correction: siéntate. Adding 'te' to the end changes the word's rhythm. The accent mark on the 'é' keeps the stress in the right place so it sounds natural: si-EN-ta-te.
siéntense
syén-ten-seh/sjenˈtense/
Examples
Bienvenidos a la clase. Por favor, siéntense.
Welcome to the class. Please, sit down.
Siéntense, que la reunión está a punto de empezar.
Sit down, the meeting is about to start.
No se queden parados, siéntense donde quieran.
Don't stay standing, sit down wherever you like.
It's a Command for a Group
This word is a command form for 'ustedes' (the plural 'you'). It is used to tell multiple people to do something, specifically to 'sit themselves down'.
The Attached 'se'
The 'se' at the end is like 'themselves' or 'yourselves'. It shows that the action (sitting) is done by the people receiving the command, making it a reflexive verb.
The Special Accent
When you attach the 'se' to the command form ('sienten'), the original stressed syllable ('sien') needs an accent mark (sién) to keep the stress in the right place.
Forgetting the Accent
Mistake: “Sentense (without the accent).”
Correction: Siéntense. Without the accent, the stress shifts to the wrong syllable, making it sound incorrect.
Using the 'tú' command for a group
Mistake: “Using 'siéntate' when speaking to two people.”
Correction: Use 'siéntense' when addressing two or more people formally, or in all plural situations in Latin America.
siéntese
/syen-teh-seh//'sjen.te.se/
Examples
Por favor, siéntese. La doctora lo atenderá en un minuto.
Please, sit down. The doctor will see you in a minute.
Siéntese aquí, señora, para que pueda ver mejor el escenario.
Sit here, ma'am, so you can see the stage better.
Siéntese cuando quiera. Estamos listos para empezar.
Sit down whenever you like. We are ready to start.
A Command for 'You' (Formal)
This word is the formal way (the 'usted' form) to tell someone to sit down. The informal way you use with friends is 'siéntate'.
Verb + Self
The word is built from the command 'siente' plus the word for 'yourself' ('se'). Because the verb requires the action to be done to oneself, the 'se' must be attached.
The Stress Mark
The little line over the 'é' (the accent mark) is essential. It tells you to keep the stress on that syllable, even though you added 'se' to the end.
Forgetting the 'se'
Mistake: “Siente.”
Correction: Siéntese. The verb *sentar* means 'to seat someone else,' but *sentarse* means 'to seat yourself,' so you must include the 'se' to sit down.
Informal vs. Formal Commands
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